Driving device for powered vehicles, and more particularly to lawn-mower vehicles

ABSTRACT

The driving device includes a pair of coaxial driving pulleys, of respective different diameters, driven directly by the motor of the vehicle, and a driven pulley connected to a shaft in turn connected, by respective coupling means, to a pair of rear driving wheels. The vehicle includes a dirigible front steering wheel. Each driving pulley has a respective endless belt trained therearound and arranged to drive the driven pulley. A single control lever is pivoted, intermediate its ends, for swinging about mutually perpendicular first and second axes, the first axis extending transversely of the vehicle and the second axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle. The lower, or operating, end of the single control lever is connected to a pair of tensioning pulleys each cooperable with a respective endless belt. When the lever is swung, from a neutral position, in one direction about the first axis, one endless belt is tensioned to drive the driven pulley and, when the lever is swung in the opposite direction about the first axis, the other endless belt is effective to drive the driven pulley. On one embodiment of the invention, each endless belt drives the driven pulley at a respective different forward speed and, in another embodiment of the invention, one endless belt drives the driven pulley at a respective forward speed and the other endless belt drives the driven pulley at a respective reverse speed. A cable, trained over pulleys, connects the operating end of the control lever to the dirigible wheel so that, as the control lever is swung in either direction about the second axis, the dirigible wheel is steered in a corresponding direction. Link means connect the single control lever to the driven axle to shift the same paraxially and, responsive to the control lever being swung to make a tight turn, the linkage means, through the driven shaft, disengages the coupling means connecting the driven shaft to the rear driving wheel then on the inside of the tight turn.

United States-Patent [191 Bouyer Mar. 12, 1974 DRIVING DEVICE FORPOWERED vEIII LEs, AND MoRE PARTICULARLY T LAWN-MOWER VEHICLES [76]Inventor: Jean Flix Henri Bouyer, 12-14, Bld

Jean-Jaures, Tomblaine, France [22] Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:248,619

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data France 71.20667 ISO/6.4, 77 H;74/217 S, 242.1 R, 242.1 A, 242.1 TA, 242.1 FA

[ 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,989,134 6/1961 Kamlukin eta1. 180/77 H 637,015 11/1899 ODonnell l80/6.32 3,057,216 /1962 Smith74/2421 R X 1,479,092 1/1924 Springer l/6.24 2,765,860 10/1956 Churchl80/6.4 3,180,305 4/1965 Gower-Rempel /77 H X 3,598,194 8/1971 Wappleretal. l80/6.2

2,051,289 8/1936 Custer 74/217 S X 3,216,266 11/1965 Sunnen 74/2421 R XPrimary Examiner-David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-Leslie J. PapernerAttorney, Agent, or FirmMcGlew and Tuttle ABSTRACT The driving deviceincludes a pair of coaxial driving pulleys, of respective differentdiameters, driven directly by the motor of the vehicle, and a drivenpulley connected to a shaft in turn connected, by respective couplingmeans, to a pair of rear driving wheels. The vehicle includes adirigible front steering wheel. Each driving pulley has a respectiveendless belt trained therearound and arranged to drive the drivenpulley. A single control lever is pivoted, intermediate its ends, forswinging about mutually perpendicular first and second axes, the firstaxis extending transversely of the vehicle and the second axis extendinglongitudinally of the vehicle. The lower, or operating, end of thesingle control lever is connected to a pair of tensioning pulleys eachcooperable with a respective endless belt. When the lever is swung, froma neutral position, in one direction about the first axis, one endlessbelt is tensioned to drive the driven pulley and, when the lever isswung in the opposite direction about the first axis, the other endlessbelt is effective to drive the driven pulley. On one embodiment of theinvention, each endless belt drives the driven pulley at a respectivedifferent forward speed and, in another embodiment of the invention, oneendless belt drives the driven pulley at a respective forward speed andthe other endless belt drives the driven pulley at a respective reversespeed. A cable, trained over pulleys, connects the operating end of thecontrol lever to the dirigible wheel so that, as the control lever isswung in either direction about the second axis, the dirigible wheel issteered in a corresponding direction. Link means connect the singlecontrol lever to the driven axle to shift the same paraxially and,responsive to the control lever being swung to make a tight turn, thelinkage means, through the driven shaft, disengages the coupling meansconnecting the driven shaft to the rear driving wheel then on the insideof the tight turn.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Pmmmm 12 1914 3796275 SHEEI 1 BF 3 DRIVINGDEVICE FOR POWERED VEHICLES, AND MORE PARTICULARLY TO LAWN-MOWERVEHICLES,

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates topowered-vehicle driving means, and more specifically to a driving devicehaving a single manually operated control lever which can be tilted indifferent directions to occupy a determinate number of positions in eachof which it performs one or more functions relating to the nature of themotion, the speed and the steering of the vehicle.

Applications: for driving small, powered mechanicalhandling, transportor farm vehicles, and more particularly lawn-mower vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION While the present invention relates to adriving device for powered vehicles and more particularly for poweredlawn-mower vehicles, it is to be clearly understood that thearrangements set forth hereinafter are applicable likewise to allpowered vehicles or devices requiring to be steered, and that they canbe used on all farm, handling or transport machinery.

The many advantages offered by the device accordingto this inventioninclude outstanding manoeuvrability and great ease of driving on allvehicles on which it is utilized, since it dispenses with pedals andother controls. In addition, its simplicity results in a very lowproduction cost. Lastly, it provides appreciable safety in each type ofmotion, that is to say for travel motion and for steering.

A driving device according to this invention for driving a poweredvehicle having a front dirigible or steering wheel and two rear drivingwheels is characterized in that it includes a single manually operatedlever which can be tilted in ditferent directions to occupy adeterminate number of positions in each of which it performs one or morefunctions relating to the type of motion, the speed and the steering ofthe vehicle, at least one driving pulley coupled to a driven pulley by adrive belt adapted to be tensioned by means of a roller cooperating withthe lever, further means provided to transmit the rotation of saiddriven pulley to a shaft and from the shaft to one or both drivingwheels, means being provided to disengage the drive to one of the wheelsduring tight turns, and the position of the front steering wheel beingcontrollable by means of cables and rollers from the lever.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed fortwo forward speeds.

In an alternative embodiment, the subject device of the inventionprovides a single forward speed and reverse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Further particularities and advantagesof the present invention will become more clearly apparent from thedescription which follows withreference to the accompanyingnon-limitative exemplary drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a powered lawn-mowervehicle incorporating the driving device according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the device according to theinvention with two forward speeds, the control lever being in itsneutral position;-

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 2, the control lever beingshown in its position for engaging first gear;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 2, the control lever beingshown in its position for engaging second gear;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 2, the control lever beingshown in its position for engaging second gear and for steering a widecurve to the right;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 2, the control lever beingshown in its position for engaging second gear and for steering a tightturn to the right;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention, having one forward gear and a reverse gear,the control lever being shown in its position for engaging reverse gear;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention, incorporating means for releasing the driveto one of the driving wheels; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the device incorporating the means according tothe alternative embodiment of FIG. 8, the control lever being shown inits position for engaging second gear and for steering a tight turn tothe right.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference to FIG. 1 shows thatthe driving device according to the invention comprises a lever 1 whichis articulated at its lower end and terminates in a clevis 7. Coaxiallymounted on the engine shaft are two pulleys 8 and 8', correspondingrespectively to first and second gears. These pulleys are coupled to adriven pulley 13 by respective drive belts 9 and 9' which, through theagency of tensioning rollers 6 and 6, can be tensioned in turn by movingthe lever l. The rotation of driven pulley 13 is transmitted to a shaft2 through bevel gearing 14 and thence to the wheels 15 by means ofdriving sprockets 5' and chains 17'. The dirigible wheel 10 iscontrolled by the leverl through the agency of a pulley ll, pulleys l1and 11" (not shown in FIG. 1) and a cable 12. Lastly, a link 3 fast withlever 1 allows the shaft 2 to be translated in order to release thedrive to one of the rear driving wheels when the vehicle makes a tightturn.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the driving device of this invention, thesingle control lever 1 being depicted in its neutral position. It is tobe noted that the vehicle incorporating the device according to theinvention may include a brake adapted to become operative as soon as thecontrol lever is released. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, thebrake is therefore operative. Lever l is in the vertical position. Theshaft Zactuated by the link 3 is in its central position, that is to saythat the stubs 4 and 4 of shaft 2 are drivingly engaged in sprockets 5and 5'. The tensioning rollers 6 and 6', which are mounted in differentplanes on a triangular plate 18 capable of pivoting about a pin 19 andof being pivoted by the clevis 7, neutralize the drive imparted by drivebelts 9 and 9, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows the device in the position for engaging first forward gearwith 4 the steering wheel straight. Lever 1 is pushed forward in thedirection of arrow F.

Tensioning roller 6 engages with belt 9 to cause the same to impartdrive. Driving pulley 8 accordingly drives the driven pulley 13 which inturn rotates drive shaft 2 through the medium of bevel coupling 14,thereby causing the driving wheels 15 and 15' to rotate for forwardmotion through the agency of driving sprockets and 5' which in turndrive the sprocket wheels 16 and 16 through driving chains 17 and 17'.The front wheel remains in its axially aligned position.

FIG. 4 shows the drivingdevice in the position for engaging secondforward speed with the steering wheel straight. Lever 1 has been pulledback in the direction of arrow F and causes its clevis 7 to move theroller 6' into the position in which drive is imparted through the belt9'. Driving pulley 8 accordingly drives pulley 13 to cause the vehicleto travel forward, all other parts remaining in the sameposition as inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts the vehicle in the configuration for forward travel insecond gear with its front wheel deflected for a wide curve to theright, drive being im-- parted through both rear wheels. Lever 1 is inthe position for engaging second forward gear (pulled back, to giveforward travel motion) and is tilted in a first rightward position(arrow F Responsively to link 3, shaft 2 has been shifted leftwardly(arrow F whereby the splined stubs 4 and 4 are shifted within drivingsprockets 5 and 5', which continue to be drivingly engaged so that thetwo rear wheels and 15 continue to impart drive to the vehicle.

The front steering or dirigible wheel 10 has been deflected rightwardlyin response to pulley 11, the latter having been rotated by the cable 12which runs over pulleys 11' and 11" and is actuated by the clevis 7which, by virtue of the rightward tilt imparted to lever 1, has beentranslated leftwardly.

FIG. 6 shows the vehicle in the configuration for forward travel motionin second gear with the front wheel deflected for a tight rightwardturn, the drive to the right-hand rear wheel having been released whilebeing maintained in the left-hand rear wheel. Lever 1 is in its positionfor engaging second forward gear (pulled back, to impart forward travelto the vehicle) and is tilted fully to the right(arrow F Responsively tolink 3, shaft 2 has been shifted left-wardly, thereby shifting the stubs4 and 4' leftwardly within drivingsprockets 5 and 5. The splined stub 4has emerged from the sprocket 5' which drives the wheel 15 whereby todisengage the drive thereto. Splined stub 4 remains drivingly engaged inthe sprocket 5 which drives the wheel 15, which is now the only wheelthrough which drive is imparted to the vehicle. The front steering wheel10 is fully deflected to the right in response to pulley 11, which hasbeen rotated by the cable 12, which cable has in turn been actuated bylever 1.

It goes without saying that the movements of the lever 1 between its.different limit positions are made gradually.

The subject device of this invention has been described hereinabove asapplied to the case of a vehicle having two forward speeds and describedas negotiating a wide curve to the right or a tight turn to the right.Manifestly, however, the single control lever may be pulled back andthen gradually tilted leftwardly to negotiate either awide leftward tumor a tight leftward turn in second forward gear. Equally, the singlecontrol lever may be pushed forward and then gradually tiltedrightwardly or leftwardly to permit a wide turn to the right or the leftrespectively, or a tight turn in first gear.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, only oneforward gear and reverse are provided.

FIG. 7 illustrates such a device. As described precedingly, the drivebelt 9' runs over the driving pulley 8' and drives the driven pulley 13(in the case of forward travel with the control lever pulled back). Whenlever 1 is pushed forward (arrow F its clevis 7 moves the tensioningroller 6 into the position for causing drive to be transmitted to thebelt 9 which runs over driving pulley 8 and roller 6. Driving pulley 8accordingly drives the roller 6 which causes the back of belt 9 tocontact driven pulleyl3, thereby causing pulley 13 to rotate the shaft 2in reverse through bevel coupling 14. The steering wheel 10 is in itsaxially aligned position and the drive to the wheels 15 and 15 istransmitted as described precedingly.

By comparison with priorart devices, the subject device of thisinvention ensures total adhesion of both driving wheels to the ground,both when travelling in a straight line and when negotiating widecurves. For tighter turns, the outer driving wheel is allowed to rotateat the same speed, which speed is not multiplied as it would be if aconventional differential gearing were provided.

As explained precedingly, the means for engaging and releasing the drivefrom the drive shaft to the driving wheels during tight turns are formedby dogclutches positioned at the stub end of shaft 2, which shaft can betranslated by the single control lever through rigid linkage formed bythe link 3. However, this arrangement presents a slight disadvantagewhen it is required to return the steering wheel 10 into a straight lineafter a turn, since this can be done only after the drive to the wheelhas been re-engaged, that is to say after the time required for thematching splines to register with one another. In accordance with thealternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, recourse is had to adifferent drive sequence that overcomes this drawback, it being possibleto return the steering wheel into a straight line immediately withouthaving to wait for the drive to the wheel to be reengaged.

Reference is next had to FIG. 8 in which the shaft 2 is replaced by twohalf-axles 2' and 2", the outer end of each of which is slotted to takea rod adapted to angularly unite the half-axle 2 (or 2") with sprocket 5(or 5') while permitting translation motion thereof. The splined ends 4and ,4 are transferred to the inner ends of the half-axles and arehoused in a cylindrical case 20 fast with bevel gearing 14. Compressedwithin case 20 is a spring 24 the ends of which react against two thrustwashers fixed to said splined ends respectively. The end-faces of case20 carry the dog-clutches. The two half-axles support discs 21 and 22,respectively, which are normally in contact with a yoke 23 fast withlink 3.

Reference is lastly had to FIG. 9 for a showing of the device in theposition for engaging second gear and for making a tight turn to theright. The single control lever was first pulled back (for engagement ofsecond gear), then tilted fully to the right (for a tight rightwardturn), whereby yoke 23 was translated leftwardly and through the agencyof disc 22 disengaged the drive to wheel 15',

the spring 24 within cylindrical case 20 being compressed. After theturn, steering wheel is returned into a straight line by tilting thesingle control lever over to the left while maintaining it pulled back.This operation can be done immediately, and the drive to the wheel isthereafter engaged automatically under the bias of spring 24 as soon asthe splines come into registry.

What I claim is: g

l. A driving device for a vehicle powered by a motor and having a frontdirigible wheel and two rear driving wheels comprising, in combination,a driven shaft; respective coupling means connecting said driven shaftto said two rear driving wheels; a driven member coupled to said drivenshaft; first and second drive means driven by said motor and operable todrive said driven member at first and second respective differentspeeds; a single control lever pivotal, intermediate its ends, aboutfirst and second mutually perpendicular axes and having an operating endcoupled to said first and second drive means; said control lever havinga neutral position effectively uncoupling both drive means from saiddriven member, and being swingable about said first axis in onedirection, to effectively couple said first drive means to said drivenmember for operation of the vehicle at the first speed, and in theopposite direction, to effectively couple said second drive means tosaid driven member for operation of the vehicle at the second speed;pulley and cable means connecting the operating end of said controllever to said dirigible wheel for steering of said dirigible wheelresponsive to swinging of said control lever about said second axis; andmeans connecting said control lever to said driven shaft and operable toshift said driven shaft paraxially responsive to swinging of said leverabout said second axis, said last-named means, responsive to saidcontrol lever steering said dirigible wheel to make a tight turn,operating, through said driven shaft, to disengage the coupling meansconnecting said driven shaft to the rear driving wheel then on theinside of such tight turn.

2. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said first andsecond drive means comprises first and second coaxial driving pulleyshaving respective different diameters and driven by said motor, andfirst and second drive belts turned around said first and second drivepulleys, respectively, and said driven pulley; and first and secondtension rollers connected to the operating end of said control lever andrespectively engageable with said first and second drive belts totension the latter upon movement of said control lever from its neutralposition to drive the vehicle at respective different speeds.

3. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said last-namedmeans comprises a link secured to said single control lever and engagedwith said driven shaft to shift the same paraxially; said respectivecoupling means comprising splined stub ends of said driven shaft engagedin respective splined sprocket wheels connected to said rear drivingwheels,

4. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said last-namedmeans comprises a rod secured to said control lever and a yoke securedto said rod; said driven shaft comprising two half-shafts each securedwith a respective sprocket connected to a respective rear driving wheel;respective discs on each half-axle engageable by said yoke whereby, uponswinging of said control lever about said second axis, a respective oneof said half-shafts is shifted paraxially; a cylindrical case secured toa bevel gear engageable with a meshing bevel gear secured to a drivenpulley constituting said driven member; respective dog-clutches securedto the end walls of said cylindrical case; and respective splined stubson said half-shafts cooperable with the associated dog-clutches; and aspring in said cylindrical case interposed between said splined stubs.

5. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said first andsecond drive means comprises two coaxial driving pulleys of respectivedifferent diameters driven by said motor; said driven member comprisinga driven pulley; a first endless belt connecting said first drivingpulley to said driven pulley; first and second tensioning pulleysconnected to the operating end of said control lever for operationthereby; said first tensioning pulley, responsive to said control leverbeing swung about said first axis in one direction, tensioning saidfirst endless belt to effectively couple said first driving pulley tosaid driven pulley for operation of the vehicle in a forward directionat the first speed; a second endless belt connecting said second drivingpulley to said second tensioning pulley; said control lever, when swungaround about said first axis in the opposite direction, engaging theouter surface of said second endless belt into driving connection withsaid driven pulley to operate the vehicle in the reverse direction atthe second speed.

1. A driving device for a vehicle powered by a motor and having a frontdirigible wheel and two rear driving wheels comprising, in combination,a driven shaft; respective coupling means connecting said driven shaftto said two rear driving wheels; a driven member coupled to said drivenshaft; first and second drive means driven by said motor and operable todrive said driven member at first and second respective differentspeeds; a single control lever pivotal, intermediate its ends, aboutfirst and second mutually perpendicular axes and having an operating endcoupled to said first and second drive means; said control lever havinga neutral position effectively uncoupling both drive means from saiddriven member, and being swingable about said first axis in onedirection, to effectively couple said first drive means to said drivenmember for operation of the vehicle at the first speed, and in theopposite direction, to effectively couple said second drive means tosaid driven member for operation of the vehicle at the second speed;pulley and cable means connecting the operating end of said controllever to said dirigible wheel for steering of said dirigible wheelresponsive to swinging of said control lever about said second axis; andmeans connecting said control lever to said driven shaft and operable toshift said driven shaft paraxially responsive to swinging of said leverabout said second axis, said last-named means, responsive to saidcontrol lever steering said dirigible wheel to make a tight turn,operating, through said driven shaft, to disengage the coupling meansconnecting said driven shaft to the rear driving wheel then on theinside of such tight turn.
 2. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1,in which said first and second drive means comprises first and secondcoaxial driving pulleys having respective different diameters and drivenby said motor, and first and second drive belts turned around said firstand second drive pulleys, respectively, and said driven pulley; andfirst and second tension rollers connected to the operating end of saidcontrol lever and respectively engageable with said first and seconddrive belts to tension the latter upon movement of said control leverfrom its neutral position to drive the vehicle at respective differentspeeds.
 3. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, in which saidlast-named means comprises a link secured to said single control leverand engaged with said driven shaft to shift the same paraxially; saidrespective coupling means comprising splined stub ends of said drivenshaft engaged in respective splined sprocket wheels connected to saidrear driving wheels.
 4. A driving device, as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said last-named means comprises a rod secured to said controllever and a yoke secured to said rod; said driven shaft comprising twohalf-shafts each secured with a respective sprocket connected to arespective rear driving wheel; respective discs on each half-axleengageable by said yoke whereby, upon swinging of said control leverabout said second axis, a respective one of said half-shafts is shiftedparaxially; a cylindrical case secured to a bevel gear engageable with ameshing bevel gear secured to a driven pulley constituting said drivenmember; respective dog-clutches secured to the end walls of saidcylindrical case; and respective splined stubs on said half-Shaftscooperable with the associated dog-clutches; and a spring in saidcylindrical case interposed between said splined stubs.
 5. A drivingdevice, as claimed in claim 1, in which said first and second drivemeans comprises two coaxial driving pulleys of respective differentdiameters driven by said motor; said driven member comprising a drivenpulley; a first endless belt connecting said first driving pulley tosaid driven pulley; first and second tensioning pulleys connected to theoperating end of said control lever for operation thereby; said firsttensioning pulley, responsive to said control lever being swung aboutsaid first axis in one direction, tensioning said first endless belt toeffectively couple said first driving pulley to said driven pulley foroperation of the vehicle in a forward direction at the first speed; asecond endless belt connecting said second driving pulley to said secondtensioning pulley; said control lever, when swung around about saidfirst axis in the opposite direction, engaging the outer surface of saidsecond endless belt into driving connection with said driven pulley tooperate the vehicle in the reverse direction at the second speed.